EXCLUSIVE: A two-week bidding battle has finally ended and Netflix has won Bright, a Max Landis scripted cop thriller with fantastical elements and tent pole potential that David Ayer will direct, with Will Smith and Joel Edgerton starring. This is a game changer: Netflix’s Ted Sarandos got a big ticket feature, and he paid a premium for it. I’m told that Netflix will invest north of $90M in the entire package. That includes north of $3M for the Landis script, making it one of the largest spec deals for a writer in years. The film will cost around $45M to shoot, meaning that just about that much will be invested in talent fees, and also to buy out their back ends; while there could be a limited theatrical launch day and date, Netflix is doing this to serve subscribers to its streaming service in countries around the world and so there will be no backend residuals. This deal dwarfs by one-third the premium that Netflix paid to get the David Michod-directed War Machine, starring and produced by Brad Pitt.

This is a different kind of coup for Netflix. The package brought heat the moment Deadline revealed it was coming to market on March 2, because Ayer and Smith just completed the Warner Bros/DC film Suicide Squad, which is expected to be a major summer hit. Though it will be R-rated, Bright is much closer to Men in Black‘s commercial qualities and VFX than anything Netflix has done before, and it is meant to launch a franchise. It quickly got reported that Netflix put in a significant bid and won the property, but it wasn’t decided until much much later. The auction took so long because there were at least two other suitors. Warner Bros teamed with MGM, and they were willing to go as high as the high $50M, all in. Also bidding was PalmStar’s Kevin Frakes, who offered $4M for the Landis script and committed to a total budget around $60M. Both of those bids would have been to make a traditional wide release theatrical film. The principals made the decision for Netflix two days ago, and it has taken this long to make the deals, with Landis just closing. The producer deals are still not completely done, but Eric Newman, Ayer, Landis and Bryan Unkeless will share producing duties.

The film will shoot this fall in Los Angeles. The location was important to Ayer, who has made the city a location in all his cop procedurals. I will have more on why the principals took the leap here, but suffice to say, they all embraced the idea of a disruptive model. Netflix made it easier by ensuring they would be compensated as they would have with a hit movie. CAA packaged the deal, repping Ayer, Smith, Edgerton and Newman. WME repped Landis in the script deal. Landis is managed by Writ Large.

124 Comments

Kevin Huvane officiates the wedding of two CAA jr agents, his fmr assts

Netflix pays….MAX LANDIS…..3MM for a script

The end is near

Anonymous • on Mar 19, 2016 2:31 pm

Randall Miller went to jail for the exact thing John Landis did on the TZ movie.

... • on Mar 18, 2016 6:30 pm

When Netflix beats WB, the tides of traditional versus new media are no longer turning — they have turned and left the pedigree platforms filmmakers once lined up for to the dogs. Kudos to the filmmakers.

Frank • on Mar 18, 2016 11:10 pm

ROFL…..this a bubble that will burst soon. Paying 90 million for a Will Smith movie in 2016 is as dumb as it gets.

TJ • on Mar 28, 2016 11:44 am

This is a risky bet on Netflix’ part.

Mars • on Mar 18, 2016 6:36 pm

So many great writers out there, particularly artists of color coming up from indie film…but instead they give John Landis’s son $3 million.

Kris • on Mar 18, 2016 8:12 pm

This sounds like a jealous person with envy. Try to. Bless all fir their achievements instead of veing a sourpuss

S • on Mar 19, 2016 3:06 am

No, there is nearly universal consensus that he’s the worst.

Davros • on Mar 19, 2016 10:30 am

Have you actually read the script. The Landis draft is pretty good. Deserved to sell big.

Glad for a spec sale, but the script is not good. Take the basics of End of Watch, but replace cartel baddies with orcs and paste on tired social commentary about racial equality. Ridiculously overpriced.

Gesvig • on Mar 18, 2016 6:58 pm

Congrats to Ayer! Having read both his version of the script and the original and Ayer’s was much better.

Devon • on Mar 18, 2016 7:07 pm

How much is Will Smith being paid to star in a NetFlix film? $20-40 million? I guess I am not understanding the business model here.

Jinjeon • on Mar 18, 2016 8:06 pm

His movies are losing money instead of making them. He should be paid at most $5 million (and maybe some back end deal) but knowing how stupid studios are when it comes to former MALE stars (hello, Johnny Depp!) he’s being paid at least $10 million.

The business model includes being able to reach a global audience that is potentially as high as 800 million (the number of people with good enough internet) without having to go through the usual cadre of middlemen TV and movie distributors. Cut them out of the equation and maybe you can spend big bucks on fancy big name content while still charging $10/month with no ads. We’ll see.

Mike • on Mar 18, 2016 10:58 pm

Likely around 20-25 million as thats what he has been making per movie lately. Could be more sense Will smith usually get a percentage of the box office and this movie will only be released limited in theaters.

lsb • on Mar 18, 2016 11:19 pm

I guess some people are not reading the article correctly,

“The film will cost around $45M to shoot, meaning that just about that much will be invested in talent fees, and also to buy out their back ends; while there could be a limited theatrical launch day and date”

meaning no residuals, no backend. They own it period. So I doubt Will Smith is getting 20-40 million when they are only paying EVERYONE a TOTAL of $45 million including buying out their back ends. Add it up people.

Pedro • on Mar 19, 2016 12:18 pm

They are paying him 20-35 million. Everyone else does not command a big paycheck.

lsb • on Mar 19, 2016 5:46 pm

Your Source?? if they pay him 20-30 million then there is only 15-20 million left for everyone else PLUS paying back end payments. It doesn’t add up.

Wow. Hate much? I’m not really a Will Smith fan, though I don’t blame him for things he has nothing to do with, like writing what sounds like a particularly terrible movie in Bright.

Skywalkerspock • on Mar 19, 2016 1:53 pm

That’s part of why he’s the worst. He didnt have to take the role. He didnt need go the Neflix route with a buddy cop movie. He has SS and BB3, he doesnt need another franchise film. Do an indie, work on ur craft. Make an interesting original movie that doesnt otherwise get made. Try a play. He is of course, a grown ass man, can do what he wants. But what he is to me is a disappointment.

Pedro • on Mar 19, 2016 5:48 pm

So he’s the worst because he’s smart about his business and successful?

Jealousy, much?

deej • on Mar 19, 2016 11:50 pm

I’m no Smith fan but you do realize that there are plenty of Indies and off-broadway plays that suck.

CAADude • on Mar 18, 2016 7:28 pm

It’s END OF WATCH with orcs. Why would Netflix pay $3 mill for that? More importantly, who would want to watch that?

Callahan • on Mar 19, 2016 12:16 am

You’re with CAA. If you had come up with that idea and had the chops to execute it, you’d have hit the jackpot, too. These grapes be sour.

Anonymous • on Mar 19, 2016 12:36 am

Dude, it’s a fantasy setting movie that won’t try to be a lord of the rings or epic, instead a buddy cop movie. Proving there’s more to do with these settings. Hopefully studios see this & support other movies too.

S • on Mar 19, 2016 1:10 pm

So it’s Rush Hour meets Your Highness.

Anonymous • on Mar 19, 2016 2:26 pm

This sounds like Playstation’s POWERS meets that dinosaur movie with Whoopi Goldberg.

Nobody joins Netflix because of a single anything. They use their free month trial to check some stuff out for free. Then if they keep seeing stuff they want to watch and more stuff they want to watch and then the free month is up but there’s still stuff they want to watch…that’s how Netflix locks them in.

That’s why Netflix keeps throwing money at a crazy range of things. They need to build a library that is capable of locking everyone in.

AMC73 • on Mar 18, 2016 9:03 pm

Oh hey, when is the next Will smith movie directed by Spike Lee, Ava Duvernay or Antoine Fuqua coming out. Oh wait, let me guess… NEVER

Whatever, Will

Anonymous • on Mar 19, 2016 9:31 am

i agree. its a shame too especially while he still has a little influence. when was the last time anyone was excited for a will smith film; Hancock. His last too films nobody saw them. im still trying to figure out who his fan base is.

Anonymous • on Mar 19, 2016 1:31 pm

His production company has suppported and hired blacks and other people of color. Just Google his filmography.

Frank • on Mar 19, 2016 2:40 pm

Huh? He has not hired a single black director and he has the nerve to criticize the Academy members

Anonymous • on Mar 19, 2016 8:19 pm

@Frank. The Secret Life of Bees. A black female female director Gina Prince Bythewood. Do the research before you respond. He’s even hired Asains the film Saving Face. Asain Directir/writer and actors.

I, Mr. Robot • on Mar 20, 2016 3:11 pm

You are correct, Frank. Will smith has NEVER hired a black director to direct a film he’s starred in. As a producer, he has been associated with black directors abut had never hired one. He also threatened to quite “Ali” if Spike was hired and his TV production arm had never hire a black showrunner for one of its many failed TV series.

The Smiths are the original house servants and no manner of internet comment is gonna change that.

Anonymous • on Mar 19, 2016 9:45 am

He’d rather hire and give opportunities. See his films. Saving Face (Asain director, actors and writers) The Secret Life of Bees (black actors, black female direcror and writer) he just donates7 $30k to a project for upcoming woneb directors. .this is all to see kn Google

Duvernay’s next movie is a star-making vehicle for Lupita. Fuqua may work on military action thriller with a white male lead.

Anonymous • on Mar 18, 2016 9:11 pm

Netflix value is 5x what a worthless studio is without the overhead

Anonymous • on Mar 20, 2016 8:58 am

Netflix’s overhead is ENORMOUS. Their real profit per subscriber per quarter is in the neighborhood of fifteen cents.

They will implode just like Blockbuster did if the studios and agencies wise up.

paywriters • on Mar 18, 2016 9:22 pm

Every writer needs to start asking for more money. If you have a project people want, ask for more money.

D. • on Mar 20, 2016 6:17 pm

Heck yes. It’s insane that writers have allowed themselves to be treated like the least important of the bunch. And it’s absolutely ridiculous that actors, as lovely as they are, are paid that much more that writers. Actors should be paid the least. Actors are a dime a dozen. Look at most politicians. They’re brilliant actors. Or most of those agents at WME as well (all of them dramatically acting like they’re more critical & talented in regards to the creation of films/TV than the people who actually make the content…). Furthermore, formal studies have shown that star power actually has very little influence in drawing audiences — rather, it’s the story. It’s honestly ridiculous (and horrifying!) how glorified they’ve become. A good script is everything. And it’s about time writers start valuing themselves and demanding to be respecting. Because if you don’t stand up for yourselves, who will.

(As for directors though, good ones should be paid more than writers because their job truly is another level of insane… But than again, maybe I’m just biased because I am one…)

gufs • on Mar 18, 2016 10:33 pm

Pay Writers More.

Pay Writers More.

Pay Writers More.

Anonymous • on Mar 18, 2016 10:33 pm

So hype. I’m not even going to have to travel to Santa Monica for this one.

Avid Netflix watcher • on Mar 18, 2016 10:53 pm

I would prefer Netflix put their money into another season of HOUSE OF CARDS, NARCOS, or ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK. (Or some other original show). Ted, you got my $7.99 a month already because of shows like that, as well as MAD MEN which I watched exclusively on Netflix. We don’t need some big budget movie. Is that supposed to be a draw? And who cares, it’s only two hours worth of content.

lsb • on Mar 18, 2016 11:24 pm

This is for the world, 130 countries, not just you or the U.S.

Mt. • on Mar 19, 2016 3:45 pm

They’re allegedly planning a South Korean version of House of Cards. Narcos, OITNB both seem more regional conflicts or cultural politics. Unlike them all, Will Smith had been in blockbusters when Hollywood’s global dominance was most certain. Like Arnold, Smith is an enduring global movie icon now carried over to a rising delivery format.

Anonymous • on Mar 20, 2016 2:26 pm

a North Korean House of Cards would be pretty interesting actually.

707 • on Mar 20, 2016 6:00 pm

Best Comment Right There!

Long grass rental • on Mar 18, 2016 11:25 pm

I guess it’s great for Netflix, but it doesn’t make me want to subscribe to them just to see it.

Good luck making the money back on this stinker, Netflix. This will fail hard.

Richard W. • on Mar 19, 2016 1:45 am

I love seeing people talk shit on Max Landis like he didn’t earn this. Max is a great dude and a great writer, and you can sit and talk about how much you hate his scripts but the fact of the matter is, he keeps writing, people keep buying, and he’s doing great. Hate all you want but he’s doing something right and I respect the dude a lot.

puma • on Mar 19, 2016 6:06 am

Let’s not rewrite history, Richard. Max Landis is a successful writer because he can sell scripts, no doubt about that, but his track record from then on is simply not good : out of five films, one was a critical and commercial hit (Chronicle) and four were critically maligned non-starters (American Ultra, Victor Frankenstein, Me Him Her, Mr. Right). Fact.

P.S. When I first read about the high concept of his projects, I’m usually still interested, for example to me American Ultra looked somewhat entertaining even after the trailer came out, it could have been fun, but it seems to me that Landis can have big/great ideas but then when it comes to execution, he just can’t stick the landing. Hopefully he will fare better with this one.

Dengar • on Mar 19, 2016 8:35 am

Execution and sticking the landing are more the director and producer’s jobs. Read the scripts for Frankenstein and Ultra and compare to a hundred other scripts you’ve read. They’re great.

I caught Mr. Right in Toronto and it was surprisingly funny. I don’t know how you can call something a “non-starter” that hasn’t been released yet. Hate on the guy all you want, but people need to start keeping Landis’ personality and writing skills separate when they’re talking about his work.

Anonymous • on Mar 19, 2016 10:54 am

But his writing skills are terrible. His scripts are not good. That’s why they always result in bad movies.

LOL • on Mar 19, 2016 3:49 pm

How’s your script going? Or do you just write moronic stuff on Deadline?

Anonymous • on Mar 20, 2016 1:32 am

Hi Max.

puma • on Mar 19, 2016 1:11 pm

P.S. I called Mr. Right a non-starter because it is a commercial romantic action comedy with established actors and it probably won’t even make it past 1M in the US. If I am way off and it makes just 10M (still not much considering the genre and on-screen talent involved), then come back here and I will gladly apologise.

Lara Q • on Mar 19, 2016 6:41 am

Who are you?.His agent or his Mother?.

Riko • on Mar 20, 2016 2:09 am

You’re overthinking it. It’s just Max.

Murphy • on Mar 19, 2016 9:49 am

People mostly talk about him because he’s a monstrously unpleasant human being, not because he has no talent. He does have talented. He’s just an insufferable person. And this will only make him more insufferable.

Yeah • on Mar 19, 2016 3:48 pm

“He does have talented.” And you wonder why you’re so bitter.

Anonymous • on Mar 20, 2016 11:36 am

The worst person in the world is getting 3M dollars. Terrific!

Anonymous • on Mar 19, 2016 10:51 am

Max is NOT a great dude and NOT a great writer. His one successful movie was heavily re-written by the studio. His scripts are bad.

He’s only ever had to write. That’s where the resentment comes in, despite his obvious talent and energy.

People look at a privileged kid like Landis and they wonder where they would have would up if they had the opportunity to just focus on their art like he did. It just accentuates the fact that “life isn’t fair.”

Of course, they could be writing instead of dwelling…

leonard • on Mar 20, 2016 4:07 pm

Nobody would have a problem with the nepotism if the scripts were good.

DV • on Mar 19, 2016 7:09 am

Omg, $3M. There is hope for the writer yet.

Francis Turner • on Mar 19, 2016 7:38 am

BIG WILLY IN EFFECT!

Anonymous • on Mar 19, 2016 8:26 am

I’d like to see Netflix do something really wild like pre-emptively buy out an already shot must-see tentpole from one of the majors–would Sony sell them the new Ghostbusters for 250m? Sony would make a very clean profit and not have to spend another 80m on p&a. “Bright” is vaporwear.